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Wanted 



Christmas 



PS 635 
Z9 
H7835 
Copy 1 



Spirit 



^^ 



A Christmas Play 



in 



Prologue, Three Scenes & 
Epilogue 



BY 



HESTER G. HOPKINS 



265 West Thirty-sixth Street, New York City 



TULL AR-MEREDITH CO 



NEW PLAYS 




By Elizabeth F. Gxiptill 
The School at Mud Hollow. A burlesque in two parts. 8 Males and 10 
Females. Time about 2 hours. Price 35 cents. 

PART I. In which is portrayed the diffieulties encountered by Miss Arabella 
Pinkham, v. ho has come to "Mud Hollow" to assume the responsible 
('alios of "Teacher" in the school. In selecting "Mud Hollow" she seeks a 
change from the city life she is accustomed to, and finds plenty of it in the 
mainers, customs and dialect of the pupils. From start to finish there is 
nothing but fun. 

PART II. Which represents the last day at the school, when the proud 
parents are present to listen to the final examination of the class by the 
Supervisor and enjoy the program which is rendered by the pupils. Part 
II. offers an opportunity for about 60 minutes of the finest fun possible. 
"The School at Mud Hollow" may be given in one evening, but for those 
who would prefer to make two evenings of it, or to give only one part, we 

offer the same work announced below under the title of "The I\eiv Teacher at Mud Hollow 

School" and "The Last Dap at Mud Hollow School'* either of which can be given as a 

complete entertainment without regard to the other one. 

The New Teacher at Mud Hollow School. Being Part I. of THE SCHOOL AT MUD HOLLOW. 

6 Males and 14 Females. Time about 1 hour. Price 25 cents. 

The Last Day at Mud Hollow School. Being Part II. of THE SCHOOL AT MUD HOLLOW. 

8 Males and 19 Females. Time about 1 hour. Price 25 cents. 

At the Depot. A play in one- Act for six children and eleven adults, 10 Male and 7 Female, 
by Anne M. Palmer. Time of rendition about 30 minutes. There is probably no place better 
adapted to the study of human nature in all its peculiar phases than is a Railroad Station. 
Here the opportunities for an exhibition of those qualities representing ones real character are 
both numerous and varied. Be it kindness or crankiness, pessimism or optimism, generosity or 
stinginess, humor or pathos, these qualities are all apt to find expression '*At the Depot." In this 
play there are possibilities of a liberal education along this line. Price 25 cents per copy, $2.25 
per dozen, Postpaid. 




FARCES 



Taking the Census. Mr. Cole, the Census Taker, has a funny experience 
in an attempt to gather the facts required by the government from Mrs. 
Almira Johnson, a "cullud lady," and her young son Alexander. Three 
characters only. Time about 10 minutes. Price 10 cents. 

Answering the Phone. Mrs. Courtney and her daughter have a most try- 
ing experience with JNora Flanagan, the new ''hired girl," who in their 
absence attempts to carry out the instructions given with special reference 
to "answering the phone." The final situation in which Nora makes a date 
with Miss C^ urtney's "intended" is ridiculous in the extreme. 3 females. 
Time about 15 minutes. Price 10 cents. 

The Twins and How They Entertained the New Minister. They have a 
deLghtful t.me telling family secrets to the "New Minister," who has 
called for the first time. They explain the necessity of seeing their mother 
ro find out from her if she is "In," for so often she is "Out" when she is "In" and "In" when she 
is "Out." 2 Males and 1 Female. Time about 15 minutes. Price 10 cents. 

The Hat at the Theater. A Farce by Anne Palmer. The large hat worn by Mrs. Henpeck, who 
is accompanied to the theater by her meek looking husband, provides a lot of laughs for the 
audience. The wearer occupies such a strategic position in the front row as to completely shut 
off a view of the stage for all who are so unfortunate as to occupy seats behind this wonderful 
head piece. "Jimmy," the small but persistent son of Mr. and Mrs. Brown, is the chief sufferer 
He, however, proves a close "second" to the hat as the chief cause for a demand upon the box 
office for the return of the money paid for tickets by the "audience." Eight characters, six 
males, two females. Very little staging and scenery required. Time, about 20 minutes. 
Price 25 cents, Postpaid. 



Wanted 



Christmas Spirit 



A Christmas Play 



in 



Prologue, Three Scenes & Epilogue 



BY 



HESTER G. HOPKINS 



Price JO cents per copy 
Sj.OO per dozen, postpaid 



All Rights Reserved, Amateur Performance Permitted 




Two-sixty-five West 36th Street 



New York City 



Copyt i£ht IQj8 by Tullar-Meredith Co , International Copyright Secured 



^y^^^' 



J' 



Characters needed ^ ■ \\/ 

22 females and 13 males are represented in the entire play, but not more than 8 females and 
7 males are required in any act or scene, so the entire play could be given with 15 people, some 
of whom would assume different characters in various scenes. As there must be time allowed 
for change of setting for each scene, there will be ample time for change of costume as would 
be necessary if one person assumed more than one character. 

PROLOG 

Thanksgiving Day 

Fourth of July - ■ 

Halloween 

New Years 

May Day 

SCENE 2 

Mrs. Hooligan 

Jim 

Fred 

Maggie 

Nellie 

Tom 

The Spirit. Old Woman 

Christmas Day 

EPILOG 



Father Time 
April Fool 
St Patrick's Day 
Valentine's Day 
Washington's Birthday 
SCENE 1 
The little Princess 
The Spirit. Little Girl 
Herald 
Guards 
Pages 

Ladies in waiting 
Christmas Day 



Christmas Day 

Three Spirits 
A Little Girl 
An Old Woman , 
A Little Bojr 

SCENE 3 
Mrs. Anybody 
Gwendolen 
Ruth (The Servant) 
Robert 
Willie 
Millicent 
Jane 

The Spirit. Little Boy 
Christmas Day 



Christmas Day 



Father Time 



Number of copies needed 

As some characters have but few lines to speak, 12 copies of the play would be sufficient if 
only 15 persons toot part. To have less than 12 copies would require the copying of parts, 
which is contrary to law and would be false economy even tho such copying of parts was 
permitted by the publishers. 

Costumes and Scenery 

The costumes and scenery required are so simple to provide that the play is usable in almost 
any place where there is sufficient talent to take the parts represented by the various 
characters. 

Each of the Days in the Prolog should be so costumed as to be easily identified. The following 
suggestions offer a simple and inexpensive plan. 

APRIL FOOL could either wear jester's costume, with cap and bells, or could wear plain 
garb, and pointed cap. 

ST. PATRICK'S DAT could be dressed entirely in green, or by any costume with green 

decorations. Shamrocks might be worked into the decoration scheme. 
VAL'ENTINE'S DAT. White dress, decorated with hearts. 
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY. Colonial costume. Carry hatchet. 
THANKSGIVING DAT. Might wear a hat to represent a pumpkin, or a costume in which 

pumpkins could be used in scheme of decoration. 
FOURTH OF JULT. Patriotic colors. Carry firecrackers and toy pistol. 
HALLOWEEN. Witch costume. 
NEW TEAR'S. Part should be taken by small girl, with fluffy white dress, decorated with 

tinsel. 
MAT DAY. White dress, garlanded with flowers, which may be artificial. 
CHRISTMAS. Any costume decorations which may suggest themselves as symbolizing the 

Christmas spirit, 
FATHER TIME. Long flowing robes. Should have long white beard and white wig, and 

carry the traditional scythe. 
THE PRINCESS and ladies in waiting may wear informal but rich costumes. 
The costumes for the "Hooligans" in Scene 2, and the "Anybody Family" in Scene 3 will 

readily suggest themselves. 
, THE THREE SPIRITS should be dressed according to suggestions given on page 4. 
THE PAGES, HERALD, ETC., may wear regulation costumes, or dark knickerbocker suits 

with wide white collars. 
The stage settings may be as elaborate as desired, or if circumstances demand, very simple 
and inexpensive. 

For the Prolog, there may be a raised platform with great chair at the center rear, over which 
could be a canopy if desired so as to represent a throne. Straight hanging draperies could 
be used. 

For the Palace Hall, the same setting could be used, with an abundance of cushions, more 
elaborately arranged draperies, etc. 

The Hooligan's House should be represented by a very poorly furnished living room or kitchen 
with a somewhat dilapidated table, old chairs, lounge, etc. 

The scene for the "Anybody's" home should represent a well furnished library or living room. 
The necessary amount of furniture will readily suggest itself, and pictures, draperies, etc , 
may be used according to the desire of the arranger. 



i' (920 ©CU563083 



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Prologue 



The Scene is laid in the Hall of Time 

(Father Time is seated in a great chair at the center rear. A crowd of days come 
running in, jostling one another; — Valentine's Day, April Fool, St. Patrick's Day, 
the Fourth nf July, May Day, Hallovjeen, Thanksgiving Day, New Year's Day, 
Etc. They dance about, holding hands. Christmas comes last^ with hanging head, 
and downcast looks, and walking slowly across the stage, sits down on the floor in 
the corner.) 

April Fool. Get in line, get in line, everybody! All in line for the grand 

procession. — (Puts his hands on the shoulders of Washington's Birthday, and 

starts marking time.) Left, right, left, right, — hurry up, the rest of you ! 
(With much scrambling, the days begin to form a line.) 
St, Patrick's Day. Here, me bye, 'tis mesilf that belongs between the two of 

of ye. Share 'tis afther crowding me off the place intoirely yez are. 
(He squeezes in between Washington's Birthday and April.) 
Valentine's Day. (Coquettishly.) Can't we walk two and two? The rose is 

red, the violet's blue, 1 wish you'd let me walk with you! 
St. Patrick's Day. Wid me, me darlint. (He links arms with her.) 
Washington's Birthday. I beg pardon! Believe me, madam, your most obliged 

and obedient servant. 
(He moves Valentine's Day ahead of him. She makes eyes at him over her shoulder.) 
(The line now starts moving in a sort of snake dance.) 
April Fool-Kere you. Thanksgiving Day! You belong at the very end, do 

you know it? 
Thanksgiving Day. (Piously.) Why should that trouble me? I have a great 

deal to be thankful for. I've been in the world later than any of you. 
Fourth of July. (Shooting a toy pistol at him.) Well, you can't go back again 

till the last of any of us. Even I come five months ahead of you, so there! 
Halloween. Even / come ahead of you. So there! 
Valentine's Day. You mustn't fight, you awful boys. 
New Years. (Prancing.) And I'm ahead of anyone! I'm the head of the line! 

Happy New Year, everybody! It's only a httle while before I can see some 

real life. 
Several Days together. Why, where is Christmas? He ought to be head. 
(The line stops its march.) 
Father Time. Yes, where is Christmas? 
Christmas. (Not looking up.) I don't want to come. 
May Day. Whatever is the matter with you? 
Valentine. You are not in love, are you? 
April Fool. You aren't playing a joke, are you? 
Washington's Birthday. You are not sad, are you? 



WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 



Fourth of July. You aren't mad, are you? 

Father Time. Come here, my child. 

{Christmas comes slowly hefqjre his great chair.) 

Father Time. What is your name, child? 

Christmas. Christmas. 

Father Time. But your first name? 

Christmas. {Sohhing.) M — m — Merry. 

Father Time. You do not look it. 

Christmas. I don't feel it. 

Father Time. And why not? 

Christmas. {In a sudden hurst.) Nobody wants me. 

{Everyone exclaims.) 

Father Time. But I am sure you are mistaken. What makes you think 

people do not want you? 
Christmas. They say so. 
Father Time. Who says so? 
Christmas. Lots of people. The princess of the great and mighty kingdom of 

Mintsofmoney, and the poor O'Hooligans of O'Hooligan street, and Mr. and 

Mrs. Anybody and their children who go to the ( ) church {the name 

of any church or school where the entertainment is given.) They're sitting 

right there now. 
{Points out into the audience.) 
A Voice from the Audience. {As though continuing a. conversation.) Yes, my 

dear, as I was saying, Christmas has gotten to be a perfect nuisance. I only 

wish it were all over and done with. 
Christmas. Just listen to that, now. They don't love me any more. 
Father Time. Then I will make them love you. It only needs a little magic. 

I'll call up a spirit. 
The Days. Oh, a spirit! 
Valentine. I'm scared. 
May Day. I'm going to shut my eyes. 

Washington's Birthday. Do not be alarmed. I will protect you. 
Christmas. What spirit? 
Father Time. The proper spirit. I will send him into these homes before you 

to help prepare your welcome. Be still now, everyone. {He rises, waves a 

staff, and a shapeless white spirit appears.) 
Spirit. Here I am. 
Father Time. Divide into three. 

{The spirit flings off its covering, and proves to he three separate figures, a richly 
dressed little girl, wearing a crown, a queer oldwoman, and a very ragged little hoy.) 
Father Time. {To the first spirit.) You must go to the King's palace. {To 

the second spirit.) And you to O'Hooligan street. {To the third spirit.) And 

you to the home of the Anybodys who go to ( ) church. 

{The spirits how and go off.) 

Fa'her Time. Come, Christmas, cheer up. I think you will find that people 

will love you this year as much as ever. 
(Music strikes up, the days take hands to dance about Christmas.) 

CURTAIN. 



Scene I 



The scene is laid in the Palace Hall. 

(The little princess is seated on a many-cushioned throne, very cross and sleepy. 
Ladies in waiting stand on either side, as well as pages and guards. A herald is 
reading to her from a great roll. 

Herald. (Reading.) Her most gracious, serene and bounteoua Highness, 

Victoria, by the grace of God, princess of the mighty and powerful kingdom 

of Mintsofmoney, Grand Duchess of— 
Princess. (Yawning hugely.) For mercy's sake, omit that part and get on (o 

where I have something to do. 
Herald. (Fumbling.) Victoria, by the grace er — er — Grand Duchess, 

er — that is — 
Princess. I said, — omit it! 

Herald. Yes, your Highness. (Hunts through paper.) 
Princess. Either read, or else go away and let me alone. 
Herald. I cannot seem to find the place, your Highness. 
Princess. Then go away till you do. 
(She lolls back on her cushions, still yawning.) 

(The curtains part and the first spirit comes in — the one dressed as a little princess.) 
Spirit. How do you do? (Comes forward.) 
Princess. Well, for mercy's sake, who are you? 

Spirit. I am your cousin Honoria Maria Louisa Constantia, and I have come 
to visit you for over Christmas. 

Princess. What a perfectly awful time to come! 

Spint. Why? 

Princess. Oh, I just hate Christmas. 

Spirit. You do! Why, I love it. 

Princess. You wouldn't if you were I. Never mind though. I am glad you 
have come. Perhaps it will not be so dull with you here. (Suddenly.) 
Whydidn't someone announce you? 

Spirit. The page outside has fallen asleep. 

Princess. (Starting up.) Why, the la«y little thing! He ought to be punished. 
What should he fall asleep for? 

Spirit. I thought you looked rather sleepy, yourself. 

Princess. That is a very different thing. 

Spirit. Oh! 

Princess. Well, it is! Veri/ different. 

Spirit. Of course, he is a lot younger than you, and he has been going home 

every night, instead of staying here at the palace, and that is a long walk for 

a little boy. 
Princess. How in the world do you know that? 
Spirit. Why, I asked the guard about him. He looked so tired, — poor little 

fellow! 
Princess Why didn't the guard wake him up? 
Spirit. I asked him not to. 
(She sits down on a cushion beside the throne.) 



WANTED— CHKISTMAS SPIRIT 



Princess. (More thoughtfully.) Oh! (After a pause.) Of course if I had 

known anything about him, I'd have let him go home earlier. I just did not 

know. 
Spirit. I was sure that was why. Shall I tell him he may go now? 
Princess. No, wait! I did not say — 
Spirit. But it is really late; and tomorrow is Christmas. 
Princess. Well — I will — I'll send him home now; — and I will send him home 

in a carriage. There now! I am not so selfish as you think. And I tell you 

what I'll do — I'll let him have a holiday tomorrow and stay home with his 

mother. (To a lady in waiting.) Go and see that he is sent home, and tell 

him he need not come back tomorrow. (To Spirit.) I hope you are satisfied 

now. 
Spirit. Oh, I knew you would do it, as soon as you heard about him. 
Princess. (Rather loftily.) He is a lucky little fellow. I know a good many 

who would not be so kind to a servant. And now while he goes home to rest 

and sleep, I have to go on working; but that is always the way. 
Spirit. Working? 
Princess. The rehearsal. (She motions the herald to approach.) (To the Spirit.) 

I hope you don't mind. It must be gone over, so that I can appear at 

my best. 
Spirit. What is it for? 
Princess. For our horrible Christmas feast. We have to invite in the 

whole city tomorrow, and there's a fearful lot of ceremony to it. It is so 

stupid I nearly die\ And it lasts pretty nearly forever. 
Spirit. Why, I think that is splendid. How glad the people must be to see 

the palace, and how good the banquet must taste to all the little poor 

children. 
Princess. I suppose they enjoy it well enough. I was not thinking of them- 

I was thinking of me. 
Spirit. Oh! 
Princess. I don't care what you think. It is hard on me. (To Herald.) Come 

now! Start in! 
Herald. Her most gracious, serene and bounteous highness, Victoria, by the — 
Princess. Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! I told you not to read that part! — 

Go on, now. 
Herald. Highness, Victoria, by the grace — 
Princess. (Furiously.) Idiot! 
Spirit. (To Herald.) I know a very good thing for headaches. I wonder if 

you wouldn't like to try it? 
Princess. Whoever said anything about headaches? 
Spirit. Why, I think the poor man must have one. He acts as if he were half 

sick. 
Princess. Well I never! Are you sick? 

Herald. I will go right on, your highness. I will try to do better, this time. 
Princess. Are you very tired, then? What is the matter? 
Herald. Perhaps a little tired, your highness. 
Princess. (Half petulantly.) Oh all right! Go home. I shan't need j^ou any 

more. We will stop practising for tonight. Go on. (The Herald bows and 

withdraws. You make me do such silly things, Maria. I've sent my page 

home, and now I've sent my herald home, and I may very likely need them 

again. 



WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 



Spirit. I am sure you will not. It is getting so late. 

Princess. Yes, but I ought to have rehearsed. You see I am the principal 
sight at the banquet. Every one is looking at me, and I must be at my 
best. 1 have a lot of things to do. When 1 am announced I have to bow, — 
so! (Acting it out.) Then I give my hand to the mayor to be kissed — so — 
I am very gracious with them, you see, — then I ascend the throne, — so — and 
incline my head gracefully to the crowd — and then they all applaud. There's 
a lot more to it, and it really needs rehearsing. Of course it is an awful bore 
and I hate it, — but still I feel it my duty to appeal very well. 

Spirit. At any rate you can sit down. 

Princess. I should hope so! Why not? 

Spirit. I suppose some of the court peofle cannot. 

Princess. Well of course, most of them do have to stand up behind my chair. 
It looks better;— and they can serve me from there. Why not? 

Spirit. How long does the banquet last? 

Princess. Hours and hours. (She looks more thoughtful, then gets vp and takes 
a rigid pose.) It is rather tiresome, now I try it. (To a court lady.) Does 
it tire you to stand up? 

Lady. A little, your highness. 

Princess. Then, for mercy's sake, sit down! (Tosses her a pillow.) I mean 
it. iSit down. And you, and you, and you! (Tosses pillows from the throne 
to the attendants, who sit on the floor on them with sighs of relief.) Of course 
if any of you had spoken about it before — . You know, I have an idea. It 
must tire the guard a lot to stand with his arm out all the time. (Stretches 
out her arm as if holding a spear.) Why, it's awful, just you stand up a 
minute, Maria, and try it! 

Spirit. (Obeying ) It is hard. 

Princess. It's terrible! And do you know, I never thought of that before! 

My guard! (The guard steps inside the door, and stands at attention. The 

Princess throws him a pillow.) I want you to sit down this minute, and put 

your spear on the floor. I don't want you to hold it any more. (The guard 

withdraws, bowing. The Princess and spirit sit on the lowest step of the throne, 

together.) 
Spirit. If only we could arrange some way tomorrow. 
Princess. (Interrupting.) I have just had another thought. That Herald has 

gone off with my speech of greeting for tomorrow, and I haven't learned it 

yet. Whatever shall I do? 
Spirit. I should think the people would like it better if you greeted them 

your own way, without any set speech. 
Princess. How ridiculous you are. Of course they probably would like it 

better, but don't you see, it is not a question of what they like or do not like. 

It is a question of what / like, and I like to be impressive. 
Spirit. Oh! 

Princess. Now what is the trouble? 
Spirit. I thought, — but perhaps I was mistaken, — that you did not enjoy 

yourself very much at the banquet. 
Princess. Well — I do not. 

Spirit. And I thought the feast was given on purpose for the people. 
Princess. Well — it is, — in a way. 
Spirit. And yet this way, neither side fu.ly enjoys it. 



WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 



Princess. But if I went into it with the idea of giving the people a good time, 
I'd have to change everything. The whole thing would be different, if I 
went into it with that idea. 

Spirit. What would you do? 

Princess. Why, if I were just planning it to please them, — but mind you, this 
is "if"; I do not really consider doing it. I should not have the court people 
there at all. The town folks are terribly embarrassed by them ; I should 
leave them to themselves, and do away with all the ceremony. 

Spirit. How splendid! 

Princess. No, no! I didn't say I would do it. I said "if." 

Spirit. But why not do it? 

Princess. I couldn't. It never has been done, and I am not sure that I want 
to, anyway. I suppose I could though. 

Spirit. And the court people would like it better, too. 

Princess. I suppose we could have a banquet of our own in my appartments. 
No, I'm afraid they wouldn't really enjoy that, either. If I were just plan- 
ning it to please them, I'd let them have perfect freedom for the day to do 
as they wanted. Oh no, it couldn't be arranged, Maria. It is out of the 
question. 

Spirit. I would help you. 

Princess. I tell you what 1 would really like. I'd like to have a little party 
of my own for the children, for I am very fond of children, though I never 
have known any. Sometimes they wave their hands to me when I drive 
through the city and I have just longed to pick them up and hug them — but 
of course that would have been undignified. Do you — do you think — 

Spirit — Yes, yes ! I would help you ! 

Princess. But you see I could not do that if I let the court attendants go, for 
there would be nobody to do the work. 

Spirit. I would help you! 

Princess. Oh, I couldn't. I never did any work in my life. I do not know 
how. It is impossible. 

Spirit. I would love so to help you. 

Princess. How funny it would be! Suppose I had to wash dishes! A Princess 
washing dishes! 

Spirit. I would help you. 

Princess. And I tell you what I'd do; — and what I think I really will do. 
The people might feel hurt if I never came near them at all. So I'll make 
them a short little speech of greeting, and then ask if they will let me play 
with the children, just for the day. And I'll say something like this: — 
My good people, — no, I'll say my friends, — my friends, I welcome you with 
all my heart to the palace, which I want you to feel is your own home, not 
just for today, but for every day. (For you know, that's true enough, Maria; 
I suppose it really was they who paid for and built it, thought I never thought of 
that before.) A.nd I'll say — this is your own feast, not mine, and I should do 
quite wrong to make you spend any of your time, listening to a stupid speech 
from me. But I want to stop long enough before I go to wish you all 
health and all happiness, and especially to wish you a very, very, very, 
Merry Christmas! 

(Christmas Day appears between the curtains of the door, smiling, just as fh^ 
curtain falls.) 



Scene II 



The scene is laid in the Hooligans' House 

(The mother is seated at the table, the children sprawled about in discontented at- 
titudes. Fred {about ten) and Jimmie (about six) are quarrelling.) 

Jim. Say, wot yer t'ink I am? I aint gonna do it, so yer better lemme alone. 

Fred. Aw, Chimmie, aint yer honest gonna take me? 

Jim. (Jerking loose.) Naw I aint — so there! 

Mother, (Crossly.) Quit yer scrappin', now, Chimmie! 

Jim. Well, why don' he Icmme alone, den? Wot yer t'ink I am? John D. 
Rockerf eller? 

Fred. You got a quarter, 'cause I seen it, and I wanna go ter the movies too! 

Jim. Wot yer t'ink I got money for? To take you ter movies, wot? 

Fred. Jus' oncet. 

Jim. Naw! 

Mother. You gotta quit yer scrappin' or else clear out, the both of yer. 

Jim. Well, I am goin' out. (To Fred.) And I aint takin' you. 

Maggie. Chimmie! 

Jim. Wot's up, now? 

Maggie. Will yer mail a letter fer me, Chimmie? 

Jim. Wot letter? 

Maggie. To Santy Claus. 

Jim. Aw, go wan! 

Maggie. Why not, Chimmie? Won't yer, please? 

Nelly. Won't yer please, Chimmie? I got somethin' in it, too. 

Jim. (Disgustedly.) Aw, yer crazy! Naw, I won't! 

Mother. Wot yer talkin' about, Maggie? There aint no Santy Claus. Now 
quit yer noise fer a while. Yer drivin' me half crazy. 

Jim. I aint makin' no noise. 

Maggie. Why, ma, teacher said Santy would give us things at Christmas. 

Mother. We.l, he won't! Now keep still! 

Fred. Aint we goin' ter have no Christmas, Ma? 

Nellie. Aint we, Ma? 

Mother. No, yer aint! There now! I hate the very name of it. Givin' 
other people things you'd rather keep yerself. That is all there is to it! I 
got better things to do wid my money. If I had any extra money, I would 
get myself a dress a sight before I'd spend it on dolls fer you, if that is wot 
yer drivin' at! Now will yer all keep quiet, or will I give yer a lickin'? 

Jim. Well, I'm goin' out! 

(The door opens quickly and Tom, an older fellow, slips in and closes it behind 

him. He locks it carefully.) 

Tom. Be still, all of yous. Don' make any noise now. 

Mother. Wotever is the matter, Tom? You aint done anything, have yer? 

Tom. Yes, I have too. Keep quite a minute. I may get took up fer stealin'. 

Mother. Heaven save us, Tom! You aint never stole nothin', have yer? 

Tom. Yes, I have too. Don't look at me like that. I would do it over again. 

Mother. Yer a wicked boy, a wicked dreadful boy! How did yer do it? 



10 WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 

Tom. I aint ashamed a bit. After all, nothin' may happen. I was goin* 
past that old Irish woman's door, and I see it was open am her purse on the 
table. She is nothin' but an old miser. It's common talk she has a box of 
money laid by. Wot right have people to save up their money like that 
w'en there's others that needs it to use right here and now, so I just turned 
right in and got it, and I would have got away easy enough if she hadn't of 
happened to be coming upstairs at the very minute I stepped out. I ducked 
in here as quick as I could. There's a chance she didn't see me. 

Mother. Aint you ashamed of yourself, you good-for-nothing? You may have 
got us into all sorts of trouble. If the cop comes after you, he will most 
likely arrest me too. 

Maggie. Will they take us? 

Mother. It's likely they'll take every one of us. You step right out of here 
with yer stolen money. I aint gonna have it found in this room. You'd 
ought to think shame to yourself, Thomas Hooligan! 

Tom. Aw, quit scarin' the kids. There won't nothin' happen if yous dont 
make a fuss. 

{A knock sounds at the door; all huddle together, frightened.) 

Nellie. {Crying.) Lemme git out! I wanna git out! 

Mother. (Fiercely.) Shut up! 

(A quavering voice says, *'Mrs. Hooligan, ma^am.'^) 

Tom. That's her! 

Mother. (To children.) Be quiet now, every one of yer! {Aloud ) Who is 
there? Wot do yer want? 

Voice. {With strong Irish accent.) Oi'm afther borrerin' yer cough medicine. 

Mother. {To Tom.) Wot shall I do? 

Tom. Let her in. Bluff it through. {He takes an unconcerned attitude, read- 
ing the paper.) 

Mother. Now don't say nothin', none of yer! Be real friendly to her, and 
don't act queer or scared or she will be sure to think somethin's wrong. 
(Aloud.) Come in, Mrs. O'Fiaherty. You are welcome to anythin' we got! 

{Door opens and spirit enters in the guise of a very old Irish woman.) 

Spirit. {Hobbling in.) Thank ye, thank ye, Mis' Hooligan. Oi'll be afther 
bringin' it back safe agin to yez. 

Mother. Oh, you aint to be in no trouble for that, Mrs. O'Fiaherty! Any 
time will do. {Gives her the bottle.) I do hope you aint got cold. This is a 
fierce time of year to have a cold. 

Spirit. (Beaming and sitting down.) Bless the saints, no. 'Tis kind indade 
of yez to be askin' afther me, but Oi'm in the best of health, savin' only the 
rheumatiz. It is for the little child next door I want this. Shure it is 
enough to make the heart bleed to listen to the colleen, coughin' her life 
away. 

Mother. Is that right now? I didn't know there was no one sick in the house. 

Spirit. Sick, is it? Shure, they're nothing but sick. 

Maggie. (Timidly.) Is it the httle girl wid yeller curls as is sick? 

Spirit. Bleps yer swate heart, that it is, and terrible sick too. And her poor 
mother without the cint in her purse to pay for a docther. Achone! 'Tis 
hard times. But Oi've thought that the rist of us by the givin' a penny 
here and a penny there might git somethin' togither to hilp the poor mother. 
Shure Oi wud niver have dared to ask yez but ye have been so frindly and 
kind to me, Oi make bould to spake of it. It would be a grand Christmas 
present shure, — a docther for the bit of a gurrul. 



WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT U 

Mother. Oh no indeed, Mis' O'FlaLcrty. We aint got enough to live on our- 
selves this winter as you can well see. I dunno wot we would come to if we 
took to givin' away our savin's to others. There wouldn't none of the 
others do it fer me, an' w'y should I fer them? 

Spirit. Shure ye mustn't feel so. Mis'. Oi know of many a wan would give 
ye half the last loaf of bread he had in the world, if ye were in nade of it. 

Mother. {Roughly.) I aint never saw any signs of it yet. 

Spirit. Shure, don't Oi know it? It is mesilf that has seen it, many's the 
toime. {To Maggie.) Oi kin tell yez what to do, if ye feel loike hilpin' the 
poor little Mary nixt door. Her mother is aff to wurruk the while it is day 
toime, and the pcjor choild is lift there alone from mornin' to noight, and 
niver a frind to play wid her. Why don't ye shlip in and be the frind to her? 
Shure, 'twud plaze her more than any thin'. 

Maggie. Could I, Ma? 

Nellie. I'd like to go too. 

Spirit. Now listen to that! Shure, Oi'il take yez in mesilf and it's that happy 
she will be. And there's another little gurrul lives on the floor above is 
goin' to hilp me give a bit Christmas party for the colleen. Oi've not the 
money to 8[)ind mesilf to buy her more than the shmall bit of a three, but if 
yez could buy a cint's worth of colored papers, and make her the thrimmins 
fer it, it is shoutin' fer joy ye'd have her. 

Maggie. I got five cents in my bank. {She runs to get a box.) 

Fred. {Suddenly.) Aint you got lots and lots of money in a box? [Tom 
jerks him savagely, his mother frowns and mutters, ''Be still.") 

Spirit. Shure ma'am, yer little by has touched me on me greatest trouble. 
It is tirrible hard to have money laid boi, and yit not spind it to make 
childer happy at the Christmas toime. 

Mother. Never mind what the bad boy says. He ain't never heard none of 
us speak of it. Yer got a right to yer own money. Well, I must be about 
me work. {She picks up broom and starts to sweep.) 

Spirit. And Oi must be steppin'. A Merry Christmas to ye! 
Mother. And the same to yous. 

Spirit. If it wasn't fer the throuble and sickness about me I wud have that 
same. For though Oi'll be all alone the day, Oi am hopin' to have me 
darlin' by wid me widin' the month. 'Tis you are the fortunate to have the 
foine family of childer, and that grand upstandin' son. May he niver have 
the throuble me son Pat has had, but always be a blessin' to ye! 

Mother. (Bitterly.) Sons in these days aint worth much but to be a worry 
and torment to their mothers. 

Spirit. Niver ye belave it, ma'am. If ye had lost the childer Oi have, ye'd 
know the worth of thim bether. Shure even a son that has done wrong may 
live to be a blessin' yit, and that is what Oi am hopin' fer from me own by. 

Mother. Well, I'm not sayin' but what it might be hard to be all alone. 

Maggie. Are youse goin' ter be all alone fer Christmas? 

Nellie. Anyhow, we'll come to yer party. 

Jim^ {Suddenly.) Say, I kin put up yer Christmas tree? Y' got a box to nail 
it in, wot? 

Spirit. Share, that wud be grand, indade. Oi am afther nadin' the bit hilp 
wid it. 

Fred. I could help youse as good as he could. 



12 WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 

Spirit. Ye're the kind little by, surely, and bo loike me own Michael, Oi 

could almost belave it was himsilf. 
Maggie. What has happened to your little boys? 

Spirit. Shure, Oi thry not to grieve, for they are all happy now. They are 
dead, darlint, all save the wan, me youngest, who was me pride and joy. I 
don't moind teliin' ye, for he is to be wid me agin widin' the month. 'Tis 
in the cruel prison he has been for four long years, come next Easter. 

Mother. {Drawing nearer to Tom.) Aw, listen to that, now! 

Spirit. It was, all on account of his love fer me the poor by did it, but Oi was 
sick at the toime, and he earnin nothin' at all, at all; and he got to thinkiii' 
of the money rich folk had till he fair hated thim. Shure he was nothin' liss 
than out o' his moind wid the worry and his love fer me. So he inters three 
or four houses unbeknownst to me, who was lyin' sick in me bed the whoile, 
belavin' him out lookin' fer a job. And he brought me a grand basket of 
friiit and such, and was sittin' by me bidside so plazed and proud, shure, 
whin in comes the polace, and the nixt momint he is gone, and Oi niver seen 
him since, me bein' too sick to git to the thrial. But Oi write to me by ivery 
day, if it is no more than a loine. 

Mother. And now he is to come out, aint he? 

Spirit. Bliss all the saints, yis! Iver since he wint away, Oi have saved and 
scrimped and put by, and did widout, and now Oi have the money ready, 
and he's to be released near a year before his toime is up, fer his good 
conduct. 

Tom. (Uneasily.) What has the money got to do wid it? 

Spirit. Why it is this way. Me poor by was arristed on the wan charge only, 
but there's three other charges aginst him, waitin' fer him, he havin' intered 
four houses, no liss. Shure he did not know what he was doin', manin' only 
to hilp his poor ould mother, and knowin' no other way. An two won't 
priss the matter, belavin' him to have had his full punishment, an' indade 
it is thrue that he has. But the fourth wud bring him to thrial again, some 
foine ould vases and such havin' been broke by Pat (that is me by's name, 
Pat) while he was escapin'. And Oi have the money all ready to give 
him, so he'll not prosecute. It has cost me dear to git it, especially at such 
toimes as Christmas, whin it goes to me heart to scrimp on prisints to 
childer, but 'tis over now. 

(Tom slips out of the room.) 

Mother. {Awkwardly.) Well, we aint got nothin' to speak of, — bein' as we 

aint goin' in fer Christmas none — but if you like ter come in ter dinner wid 

us tomorrer, — w'y, mebbe it won't be so lonesome fer ye. 
Spirit. Shure it is the koind heart ye have, to be afther askin' in a poor ould 

body loike me. 
Maggie. An' in the mornin' we'll all work on things fer the tree. I learned 

how to make paper balls at school. 
Nellie. I can make things too. 
Fred. Gee, so can I! 

Spirit. Shure, Mis' Hooligan, ye got some darlin' little childer! 
Mother. Well, it's a fact, they are pretty good fer kids. 
Jim. Gimme yer letters, kids, an I'll mail em fer yer. 
Mother. Lemme see 'em a minute first, Chimmie! 
{As she reads the letters, Tom re-enters room.) 
Tom. Say ma'am, did yous know yer purse was on yer table an yer door 

open? {Holds out purse to her.) 



WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 13 

Spirit. Shure that is koind vu ye! Did ye come way back just fer that? 
Tom. Oh, I didn't mind. But that's a crazy kind of place fer yous to leave 
yer money. You ought to take more care of it. 

Spirit. The very words me Pat used to say to me! But shure Oi have got 
such grand neighbors, there is not wan of thim Oi couldn't thrust. It is not 
loikely any wan would rob an ould body loike me! Well, Oi must be step- 
pin'. Thank ye koindly and a Merry Christmas to yel 

All. Merry Christmas! 

{Christmas Day slips in as the curtain falls.) 

Scene III 

The scene is laid in the Anybodys' home. 

In the handsomely furnished library. It is now in wild confusion. The floor is 
strewn with paper, strinq, half tied gifts, and ornaments for a partially trimmed 
tree which stands near the xirindow. A fire is burning in grate at the right. Before 
it sits Gwen.f furiously sewing. 

{Enter Ruth.) 

Ruth. Shall I light up, Miss Gwendolen?— Miss Gwendolen, shan't I turn on 
the lights for you? You will hurt your eyes, sewing when it is so dark. 
(She comes forward to Owen's chair, and receiving no reply, touches her on the 
shoulder.) Miss Gwendolen! 

Gwen. (Crossly.) Well, what? 

Ruth. (Timidly.) I just asked if you do not want the lights on. 

Gwen. I don't care. Do what you like. Just let me alone. (Ruth switches 
on the light near Gwen, who jerks around beside it, and continues sewing.) 

(Enter Robert, looking for something.) 

Rob. Oh say, Gwen. — Say, Gwen! Well, what is the matter with you? Are 
you deaf? 

Gwen. — Oh, I wish people would let me alone for a minute. I can't sew a 
stitch without someone asking me for something or other. I have got to 
finish this towel and get it wrapped up, let me tell you, before night, and it 
is just about driving me crazy! 

Rob. Well, who is stopping you? Go on and sew and see if I care. A fellow 
can't say a word in this house without someone jumping on him. You and 
Millicent make me pretty tired. I was going to tell you something, but 
now I won't. (Gwen. resumes her work, jerking her chair around with the 
back to him.) First Millicent jumps on me, and then you junp on me. Hope 
I go away to school next yea'\ If Dad won't send me, I bet I run away 
anyhow. No use sticking around in a house with a bunch of cross girls. 
Well, don't say anything, then! (He kicks some of the papers aside and 
wanders over to the tree. This is a pretty bum old tree, this is. The man 
that picked out this tree must have been cock-eyed. It all goes up on one 
side and — 

Gwen. (Savagely.) I picked out that tree with mother and it i.s the best look- 
ing one we have ever had, so there! You ask anyone who knows. 

Rob. Why, Willy could have picked out a better tree. Gee, just look at it. 

Gwen. Oh, you keep quiet, will you? (She turns to her work again.) 



14 WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 

Rob. It has only got two branches on one side. Honest that's all. Why, just 
look at it. And the needles are all dropping ofif already, and— (Mill., out- 
side, coUing.) Robert. Rob — ert — Rob — ert, where are you? Answer me 
this minute — Robert. 

Rob. (Sulkily.) What? 

{Enter Mill., somewhat dishevelled, extremely cross, package in hand.) 

MiU. Honestly I do think you are the most exasperating boy I ever knew. 
Here I have been waiting all this time for that ribbon. Where is it, now? 

Rob. I couldn't find the old ribbon. 

Mill. (Flinging herself into a chair.) Did you look? 

Rob. I asked Gwen. and she wouldn't tell. 

Gwen. (Starting up.) He never said a word to me about it. Aren't you 
ashamed to telL such lies, Rob? You never said one word to — 

Rob. Well, I tried to and you shut me right up. 

Gwen. You never did. You said you had something to tell me. 

Rob. Well, I did, and then 1 was going to ask you about the ribbon and you — 

Mill. Now that is enough. For heaven's sake don't start a fight now. I am 
just worn out. Start right in looking for the ribbon, Rob. You don't know 
where it is, do you Gwen? Do you? 

Gwen. (Deep in her book again.) Oh — it is in that jug. 

Mill. Jug — what do you mean? 

Gwen. You know, that jug, mug, vase, whatever you call it, on the table. 

Mill. Of all the crazy places to put it. Get it for me, Rob. (He complies, 
sulkily.) How we are ever going to get through tonight I don't know, I'm 
sure. And I have been working like a slave all day, while you sit and sew 
— yes, I mean you, Gwen. — as if you hadn't a thing to do in the world. If 
I were mother, I'd soon cure you of some of your lazy ways. 

Gwen. I guess I am tired, too. And I guess I am working just as hard as 
you, what is more! 

Mill. I can't imagine what you have done to get tired. If anyone has a 
right to be tired, I should think I was the one, but I am keeping right on 
working just the same. The trouble with you is that you are plain lazy. 

Gwen. Oh keep still, can't you, and let me alone. I'm busy! 

Mill. (Majestically.) You just wait, Miss Gwendolen, till I tell mother how 
you answer me back. Rob, you go tell Mother I want to speak to her at 
once. Now we shall see what she says. 

Rob. Well, what have I got to go for? I am tu:ed, too. 

Mill. Now if you are going to start in too — (Enter Mrs. Anybody with Willy.) 
Mother, 1 want to tell you about Gwen. She — 

Gwen. (Jumping up.) Mother, it is not so. I — 

Mrs. A. Gwendolen, be quiet, — no, not another word. Gwen. flounces back 
into her chair.) Millicent, you will have to give me your present for Aunt 
Agatha this minute. Is it done up? 

MiU. It's upstairs. Go on up, Rob, it is right on my bed, — a big square box. 
(Rob slouches out.) Mother, I want you to know the way Gwen. spoke to me. 

Gwen. Mother, I never did. She said — 

Mrs A. Gwendolen! (Gwen. snbsides.) I cannot talk about that, now, 
Millicent. I'm driven half distracted with the other things. The auto is at 
the door now to take the presents that go out Belleview way, and I have no 
notion whether they are all ready. Ruth — Ruth! — Gwendolen, you go get 
Ruth. (Gwendolen does not budge. She has taken up her work again.) Gwen. 
Well, never mind. Here, Willy. 



WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 15 



Mill. Mother, make her do it. 

Mrs. A. I believe I can manage my own children, Millicent. Willy, go find 
Ruth and tell her to come here this minute. It is most extraordinary 
having your father so late. It is five o'clock and he was to be home early. 

Mill. Probably at the club. 

Mrs. A. It is most inconsiderate of him if that is so. He knows how driven 
we ..re. (Enter Rob with box.) Now is that ready to go? 

Mill. Oh gracious, I haven't tied it up yet. Where did you put the ribbon, 
Rob? 

Rob. I gave it to you. 

Mill. You did not. Oh, yes, here it is. {She ties up the box.) 

Rob. (Looking out of the window.) It's snowing again. — Say, can I go out? 

Mrs. A. No, you cannot. I have a great deal too much for you to do here. 

Rob. Oh rats. (He kicks a chair.) What do you want me to do, anyhow? 

Mrs. A. Hurry, Millicent. — I don't know just what particular thing, Rob, 
but I want you on hand to help. Besides, it is too late to be out. It is 
perfectly dark in the street. 

(Enter Ruth with Willy.) 

Mrs. A. What have you done with those packages I gave you this noon? 

Ruth. They are out on the hall table, ma'am. 

Mrs. A. Isn't that done yet, Millicent? (Millicent ties it up and drops it on 
the floor by her chair.) Take this one out too, Ruth— and Ruth, tell James 
to hel • you carry them out to the auto. (Exit Ruth.) Now, Millicent, pay 
attention. I have all our presents to Aunt Agatha and Celeste and Uncle 
Rob. Gwendolen, did you tie up your handkerchief for Uncle Rob? I do 
not remember. Gwen! 

Gwen. Yea, it is all tied up. 

Mrs. A. Is it out in the hall? 

Gwen. I don't know. 

Mrs. A. Think! — Gwendolen! 

Gwen. Oh heavens! — Yes — No. I don't know. I told you I didn't. 

Mill. How you can let her speak to you like that I don't see. 

Rob. It is not dark outside, either. 

Mrs. A. That will do, Robert. 

Mill. It is as dark as a pocket. 

Rob. Well, it is not dark either. Honest. You come here and look out. (He 
trips over Willy, who is talking to himself. Get out of the road there. 

Mill. I wish there wasn't any Christmas, anyhow. I never knew anything 
so cranky as it makes this family. 

Gwen. I should say so. Cross and cranky. 

Mrs. A. (Crossly.) No one need be cross. What is it, Rob? 

^06. Well, it isn't dark. All the boys from across the street are outside look- 
ing in our windows. 

Mrs. A. Then pull down the shade this minute. 

Mill. It is that dreadful Swedish baker's children. 

Rob. They are not dreadful. Shut up, Willy. 

Mill. And the reason they hang around so. Mother, is because Rob plays 
with them and encourages them. Every chance he gets he runs right over 

• there. 



16 WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIKIT 

Rob. A fellow has got to have some fun. 

Mrs. A. Not with children whose parents I know nothing about. You will 

displease me greatly if you have anything more to do with them. No, 

Robert, you need not argue the point. Pull down the shade as I told you 

and when you do it motion them away. {Rob slouches to the window and 

looks out without obeying.) This is getting to be positively a poor section, 

Millicent. And of course our property is constantly depreciating. Really 

it is outrageous for the city to permit such deterioration — well, Robert? 
Rob. I don't see why I can't go out if you let Jane go out. I am five years 

older than she is. 
Mrs. A. Jane! Where is Jane? 

Rob. She is out playing in the snow and I think you might let me go too. 
Mrs. A. This is too bad of you, Millicent. Do you mean to tell me that 

Jane has been left outdoors like this till after dark? 
Mill. I am sure I didn't know she was there. I was busy. 
Mrs. A . Gwendolen, did you know about Jane? 
Mill. Gwen ! 

Mrs. A. Gwendolen, answer your mother. 
Gwen. What? 
Mrs. A. You heard me. 
Gwen. I did not. I don't know anything about it. You said something 

about Jane. 
Rob. I bet you heard all right. 
Gwen. Well, why doesn't someone bring her in now? I don't see why you 

need fuss so. 
Mill. You might go yourself. 
Mrs. A. Ruth! — You know I think that girl is deaf. Rob, run and tell Jane 

to come right in this minute. {Rob obeys with unusual promptness.) 
Mill. Probably he will run off with those boys now, nnd then you will have 

to hunt him up. 
Willy. Can I sit up to see Santa Claus? (No one pays any attention to Willy.) 
Mrs. A. I cannot imagine why your father Hop^ not come. (Rob is heard to 

say outside, "Mother won't like it if you bring him in.'') 
{Enter Jane, leading strange child and followed by Rob.) 
Jane. See, there is our tree. Now you must come over to the fire and get 

all warm. 
Mrs. A. and Mill. Who is this? For heaven's sake, Jane, whom have you 

picked up, now? 
Jane. I am Mrs. Van-der-bilt and this is my little boy. 
Mrs. A. Don't be s'lly, Jane. I want to know. 
Jane. Now, Mother, he is a good Ht*tle boy. 
Rob. I have seen him with the Nielson boys. 
Mill. That is that Swedish baker. 
Mrs. A. Little boy, I'm. afraid you will have to run home now. Your mother 

will be wanting you. 
Jane. No — o! I want him to stay here. 
Child. You got a dandy Christrnas tree. 
Mrs. A. Come, you will have to go home now. Run along. 
Jane. Why, Mother? Why? 



WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 17 

Mill. Tell him to go, Jane. 

Child. The Neilsons ain't got a tree, this year, because they cost so much. 

il is just awful how much they cost. But they've got a plan — 
Jane. What?' 
Mill. {Interrupting.) You are one of the Neilson children yourself, are you 

not? 
Chi'd. Oh no! Why, the Neilsons are rich. They got a bakery. But they're 

toing to let me have Christmas with them. And this year they are going to — 
Bob. Say, you are shivering. Why don't you move up to the fire and 

j^eL warm? 
Jane. Yes, come on. You have to get warm. {She pulls him to the fire.) 
Mrs. A. Jane is the most extraordinary child. Really unaccountable. 
Mill. Why don't you insist on her taking this boy out? It is terrible to let 

her go around collecting strange children this way. Sometime she will get 

some disease. 

Mrs. A. Little boy, if you do not go home by yourself, I shall have to call 
bome one to take you. Aren't you warm yet? 

Child. I'm pretty near warm. But it's so cold outside that you need a lot of 
vvarmness to last. 

Jane. Mother, please let him tell about the Neilsons. 

Child. W^hy, Mrs. Neilson says Christmas is the time to show goodwill to 

everyone — 
Roh. Nothing like that in our family. It is all tissue paper, and ribbons, and 

a hustle. 
Jane. But what are the Neilsons going to do? 

Child. They have asked in Mrs. O'Toole, and Nancy and the Francas and 
some other kids, and they are going to have a present for everyone hidden 
somewhere, and gee, I'm going to have a present too! — And we are all going 
to stay to supper. And we all have to find our own presents, if you find a 
present that belongs to some other fellow, why, you got to — 

Gwen. Isn't anyone going to have more than one present? 

Child. Oh no. I ain't ever had any present before. 

Jane. I never have either. 

Mill. Oh Jane! Aren't you ashamed? Last year you had about twenty. 

Rob. Well, I think one present is all right, now honest I do. 

Jane. I think it will be such fun. 

Child. Did you really get twenty presents? 

Jane. {Apologetically.) I couldn't help it. They just went and gave them 
to me. 

Child. What did you do with them? 

Mrs. A. {Firmly.) Where is your home, child? 

Child. I haven't got any real home. 

Mill. Of course you have a home. You must live somewhere. 

Child. I used to stay with a man over on Linden Street, but he has gone 

away. 
Mrs. A. Was he your father? 

Child. No, he just looked after me. I used to work for him. 
Mrs. A. Workl 



18 WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIKIT 

Child. He had a shop, and I used to take things around for him. But one 
morning he never came back, and then the Francas let me come there, and 
the Nielsons are the kindest people you ever knew. Why, anytime I ain't 
had anything to eat, they let me come in, n,nd give me some bread, and they 
send bread to the Francas and lots of people. Mrs. Nielson said once "we 
mayn't be able to give money, but so long as we keep this here bakery there 
shan't no one be turned away hungry who really wants for bread, and Mrs. 
Nielson says at Christmas she has to do something extra nice, 'cause it is 
the birthday of the Christ Child. 

Mrs. A. Millicent, I wonder if the poor child is hungry now; why couldn't 
wc give him a little supper with Willy? 

Mill, I suppose it would not hurt us to let him have a bowl of bread and 
milk. 

Rob. Let me get it. {He hurries out.) 

Child. I'm just fine. You can always get warm in the Nielson's too, 'cause 
they keep the big ovens going all night. 

Jane. When are you going there, tomorrow? When does their party begin? 

Child. I am going just as early in the afternoon as I can. I don't see how I'll 
be able to wait all morning. 

Gwen. Won't you get any present in the morning? 

Child. No, but it will be all the more fun to have to wait. 

Jane. I think so too. 

Mrs. A. Mrs. Nielson must be a very good woman. I do not see how she 
can afford to have in the whole neighborhood to dinner this way. It must 
cost her a great deal. 

Child. They got a box in their house and they call it the Xmas box, and 
whenever they save their money, or go without something, or walk instead 
of taking the street car, they put the money in the box, and then at Xmas 
they have a lot, and they do something nice with it, and this year, Oh! 

(Enter Rob with bowl of bread and milk which he places in the child's hands.) 

Rob. Now you go ahead and eat all you want! 

Child. Gee, that's good! I guess everyone does something nice at Xmas, 
don't they? 

Mrs. A I am afraid we do not do much but get upset. {To Mill.) Do you 
think that will be enough for him? 

Mill. I'll get a piece of cake or something to end off with. {Exit.) 

Gwen. I want to have a Christmas box. I think it is a good idea. 

Jane. So do I. Can't I, Mother? 

Rob. What's that? 

Jane. I'll tell you about it, Rob. It's lots of fun. 

Mrs. A. Would you like to stay, little boy, and see our tree lighted this 
evening? Dear me, the tree is not all trimmed yet, is it? 

Gwen. I'll put the rest of the things on. 

Child. Oh, could I put on one thing? Just one? 

Rob. Sure. Here, Gwen, lemme help too. (Gwen. and Rob start trimming.) 

Mrs. A. Finish the milk, child. They will save a ball for you to put on. 

Jane. But we must not light it till Daddy comes home. 

{Enter Millicent with the cake.) 

Mill. Here is something to end with. Was the bread and milk good? 

Child. It was just— just grand. 

Mrs. A. Why do you not eat your cake? Don't you like it? 



WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 19 



Child. I thought, — if you don't care— could I take it home to CarmelUi that 

lives with the Francas? She is so little, and perhaps they ain't had any 

supper. 
Mill. You eat that piece, and I'll get you another for the little girl. 
Mrs. A. Get something a little more substantial too. {Exit Millicent.) 
Rob. Here is your ball if you want to put it on. (The child takes it, and with 

great care, fastens it to the tree.) 
Gwen. 1 suppose I might as well pick up a little of this mess. 
J me. I'll help you. {They pick up papers, etc.) 
Child. {Surveying his hall.) Ypu been awful good to me. To have this pnrty 

and then a big party tomorrow,— it's — say, it's, — why I just don't believe 

it is me. 
Jane. But I wish you could see our tree. 
Child. It is lovely. 
Rob. But lighted. 
Mrs. A. We may light it up again some other evening, if the candles are not 

all burnt out. 
Rob Wliy doesn't Daddy come home? 
Mrs, A Yonr poor Father! I suppose he is having to wait for a street car 

on some cold corner now. I wish we had not told him we needed the auto 

for the presents. 
Gwen. Whatever are we going to do about those presents we have not sent 

off yet? 
{Enter Mill, with package ) 
Mill. Here you are! {Gives it to child.) I don't see why those thinjis can't 

wait, Mother, No one is going to be hurt by not getting them promptly. 

And so long as they are not all done, let us just enjoy the evening and rest up. 
Mrs. A. {Hesitating.) Your father would like that better, I am sure. Really 

I suppose it is not a vital matter whether we get the presents off tonight or 

tomorrow. 
Mill. Or even the next day. 

Jane. Poor Daddy! Let's just all have fun tonight. 
Child. I got to go, honest. And say, — thank you for just everything. It's 

been grand. Good bye. 
Mrs. A. Do you know, Millicent, it is remarkable what nice manners that 

child has. 
Jane. Come play with me again. 
Child. I will. Goodbye. 
Rob. Couldn't we light just one candle? 

Mrs. A. Well — light that little one by the window. You do it, Milly. 
Child. I'll look back at the window from outside. {He goes out.) 
Rob. {Closing the door and returning to the rest.) Say, it is cold outdoors. 
{Millicent has lighted the candle and stands looking out.) 
Mill. Father is being dreadfully delayed. I hope the snow has not blocked 

the cars. 
Mrs. A. I hope that poor child got home all right. He has such a thin little 

coat. And you say it is still snowing, Millicent? 
Gwen. It's nice to have real Christmas weather, though. 
Rob. It looks like Christmas in here too, now. Doesn't the old tree look 

pretty good, though? 



20 WANTED— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 

Mill. And isn't it just heavenly to stop that horrible rush! I'm getting 

Christmasier and Christmasier inside, every minute now. 
Mrs. A. And children, let us all promise ourselves- that another year — (All 

laugh.) 
Mill. That is what we say every year. 
Mrs. A. We are doing better this time, though, for we are making our good 

resolutions before instead of after, — even if it is only a few hours before. 

And next year — 
All. We really will! 
Mrs. A And in the meantime, let every one of us resolve to make this a 

very merry Christmas! 
{Christmas Day enters, smiling, and comes forward before the curtain^ as it falls 

behind him.) 



Epilogue 

(At tlie end of scene j, Christmas comes forward before the curtain.) 

Christmas {Shouting. Father Time! I say! Father Time! Where are you? 

[Enter Father Time, before the curtain, from the other side ) 

Christmas. {Joyfully.) It worked! It worked! They all want me; they were 
all glad to see me! They are all going to have a Merry Christmas! 

Father Time. What did 1 tell you, my child? It only needed the very easiest, 
simplest kind of magic! 

Christmas. Oh, I am so happy! {Turning to the audience.) And you people 
out th«re! You want me, too, don't you? You are going to welcome me, 
aren't you? For if there is any one of you still, who is not sure, let Father 
Time send the spirit into your home, and you'll find it, will work! So 
Merry Christmas to you nil I am coming to everyone here early next 
Monday {or whatever day Christmas comes on) morning! 

Merry Christmas! 



CURTAIN 



TULLAR-MEREDITH CO. 



JUVENILE XMAS CANTATAS 




SANTA'S JOY FACTORY (New 1912). Text by Edith Sanford Tillotson. Music by I. H. 
Meredith. The plot is laid in "Santa s' workshop, which has for its motto *'Joy for all Hearts". 
The various toys and dolls become for the time real live characters and take part in the cantata 
V diuiofi and song, to the aniusement of both old and young. Prominent among these are the 
iiiiny "Jack-in-the-Box". "The Noah s Ark Animals * and the "Little Japanese Dolls", with thee 
ai\gs and sayinjis, wtii'e the charm of the "Negro Mammy's Lullaby ' will linger long in the hearts 
>f 4il who hear this delightful cantata. Price 25 cents, net, postpaid. 

.CORONATION OF KING KRIS KRINGLE. Libretto by Fred. Emerson Brooks. Music by 
:, H Meredith This cantata is especially commendable from both a literary and a musical stand- 
point It is one of the best combinations of wit. humor and pathos that it is possible to find in any 
)i<e cantata One verse of the song entitled "The Spickety Man" will make everybody happy, 
vhile "AimtCloe"' a characteristic negro mammy, helps to make every moment of the evening 
-ajovable, in witty sayings and humorous songs. Price. 2c cents net. 
■iOW SANTA CLAUS EXPLAINED. Libretto by Jean M. Thompsor.. Music by Carl F. Price. An up-to-the- 
ninute cantata full of bright catchy songs and choruses with just enough laughable easy-to-learn dialog to carry it 
ilohg Be sure to examine this o.te if y ju would give the children an evenings entertainment that all can enjoy. A 
augh on every page. Price, 25 cents, net, postpaid. 

TO SANTA'S LAND WITH THE DREAM MAN. Libretto by Lizzie DeArmond. Music by L H. Meredith. The children 
vant to visit Santa Claus' Land, but not knowing the way are prevented until the coming of the Dream Man, who 
)ffer? to lead them there and bring them back in safety the next morning. The Dream Man comes as soon as the 
nildren are asleep and with his help they cross the Bridge &f Dreams, wher^ they find the things which always delight 
•he children's hearts in 'Santa's Land' '. The Dream Man, true to his promise, brings them all home in good season 
snd as they cross again the Bridge of Dreams they awaken to the fact that the true joy of Christmas is in the coming 
of the Christ Child and not in Santa Claus after all. Closes with a song of rejoicing because Christ the Lord is born. 
With a little effort this can be made very beautiful. Price 25cts., net, $3.00 per doz., postpaid. Full orchestration $2 50 
MOTHER GOOSJb'S VISIT TO SANTA CLAUS. Libretto by Lizzie DeArmond. Music by 
^^ .«^^ . ^ k" Meredith. This cantata is sure to delight both old and young. Mother Goose as the chief 
•^iherwosesvp' character, and her retinue of relatives, take you on a charming visit to Santa Claus. This cantata 
(|rO^?ai to is^ "% has some decided musical hits, among which are the songs "I'm the Little Bird that Tells" (pub- 
lished also in sheet music form). Old Dr. Foster", "Twinkling Stars". "Lazy Tom", "Songof the 
Snow Fairies . V/e re the Dolls that Santa Left Behind", and closes with the beautiful chorus. 

Hail, Father Santa Claus . Price 25 cents, net, postpaid. 
INWINTERLAND. Ubretto by Uzzie DeArmond. Music by J. W. Lerman. King Winter 
rules in this cantata and with ^ his willing subjects. "North Wind". "Jack Frost the Painter" 
Frost Fairies , , Sunbeams , Ram Drops", etc., etc., they weave a magic spell of joy about each 
heart at the Christmas season. It is principally a cantata of singing with just enough dialog oi 
recitation to make it a connective whole. The musical numbers, "I'm Jack Frost th^ Painter" 
Sleiga Be.i Song . Songof the Skaters and "The Coasting Song" are decided hits Santf 
Claus with his pack full oi toys appears and sings one song, which could be omitted if no Santt 
Claus IS desired. Price, ?.'. cents, net, postpaid. 
JOLLY TIMES WITH THE SANTA CLAUS BAND. Libretto by Lizzie DeArmond. Music by L H. Meredith. Santt 
Uaus is accompanied by his band of ten boys who are full of fun and frolic, yet ever ready with a helping hand tc 
assist old San*a in his efforts to bring good cheer to all. 

Their "Jolly Tinae'; is made more delightful by the coming of "The Eight Wind Fairies". "Grandfather Clock " "Eigh 
Japanese Girls . Ppstman . Uncle Sam ana Six Sa'lor Boys". "Columbia and Six Daughters", and numerous othe'" 
original and interesting characters who take part m the festivities of the evening, which are climaxed by the closim 
chorus. Rail the Gift of Love . Price, 25 cents, net. postpaid. / •« 

'JNCLE SAM'S CELEBRATION. Libretto by Lizzie DeArmond. Music by I. H. Meredith and J. W. Lermar. 
Uncle Sam and Columbia have a jolly time celebrating the Christmas season, in which "Messenger Boys", "Telephone 
Girls". "Postmen ', "Newsboys", "Bootblacks", "The Weather Bureau Man", "Indians" and various other well knowi 
characters take actixe part, principally in songs. There is very little dialog in this cantata, and NO SANTA CLAUf 
Price 25 cents net, postpaid. 

THE INTERRUPTED PROGRAM. Libretto by Elmer Ellsworth Higley. Music by L H. Meredith. It tells of a 
school which started to render a Christmas iprogram, but is always interrupted by some unexpected person or thing 
vhich prevents the rendering of the program as planned, but provides one as entertaining and helpful as can be plann- 
ed with the talent you may have at your command. It lends itself to whatever conditions may prevail and is therefore 
idaptable to any school or community. Price 25 cents, net, postpaid. 

4 SURPRISE FOR SANTA CLAUS. Libretto by Edith Sanford Tillotson. Music by I. H. 
^I-tredith. In this cantata. Mother Goose acts as hostess, assisted by her company of helpers 
■vhile aanta Claus, that "Busy, Busy Man", is the guest of the evening, and instead of 
..aving to entertain the company as Santa Claus is usually expected to do. he is invited to a com- 
fortable seat and is royally entertained. This cantata contains only seven vocal numbers and is 
one of the easiest ones to produce we have in our list. The speaking parts are all interesting and 
easy to render. Price, 25 cents, net, postpaid. 

YE TFEEVINC OF YE GOODE MYNCE PYE. Libretto by Josephine A. Van TasseL Music 
■y Al'red Lincoln Schultz. This cantata is designed as an entertainment FOR, rather than BY, 
"he . .lildren. It is to be rendered by the young men «nd the young ^^ omen of the church or school, 
al; .ough the children might be utilized by a good condu. tor in the choruses and minor parts. 
This is an old English story and told in old English vematula' But little staging or costuming 
A charming entertainment and a delight to all who may heai if Price 20 cents, net, postpaid. 
JOHNNIE DOUBTER. Libretto by Fred Emersom Brooks. Music by I. H. Meredith and Grant 
Colfax lullar. The plot is so original, the characters so natural, the lesson so pointed and withal so beautiful 
there is a charm about this cantata seldom found in such works. Yes, there is a "Santa Claus" in spite of "Johnnie' 8 ~ 
loubts, but in this cantata he is so wholesome and so true to the highest ideals of what he should be that every "JohnnW 
Doubter" is bound to adi ^ tiis presence at Uia Christmas season. Price. 25 cents per copy, net, postpaid 





TULLAR-MEREDITK 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



016 212 170 



NEW CHRISTMAS PLAYS 

Bett 's Christmas. A play in two Acts, by Anne M. Palmer. 9 characters, 3 adults: 2 male, 1 
female; 6 children, 3 boys, 3 girls. Time of rendition about 25 minutes. Price 25 cts., Postpaid. 
Mrs. Wilson and her two children. Jack and Betty, who through the death of husband and fathet 
have lost all that they once enji yed, including their beautiful home, are trying to plan an en- 
joyable Christmas with forty cents, which is all they have left. 

While the mother and Jack are out shopping, other children from the same tenement spend the 
ume with Betty and they pretend to play a game of telling what they would like to have 
for Christmas. 

Uncle Jim, who has been lost to all the family for some years, comes in upon them and as "Santa 
Claus' Helper" makes the Christmas all that each one desires and restores to the poor widow and 
her two children the beautiful home which they lost. 

Santa's Rescue. Two mysterious pieces of paper fall into the hands of the children, one being 
found by the boys and one by the girls. The meaning of the inscription on each remains a 
mystery until it is discerned that by placing the papers together they have 
the message that the "Old Witch" of the North has captured "Santa" and 
holds him in an ice prison at the North Pole. Of course there could be no 
Merry Christmas without their "parton saint," so guided by the "Fairy 
Godmother" they start for the North Pole to rescue him. The "Old Witch ' 
endeavors to block the rescuers' way by the assistance of "Old Zero" and 
the "Snow Fairies" but when they learn that the snow drifts they are 
piling up are to aid in keeping Santa from his usual Christmas activities 
they get the "Sunbeam Fairies" to come to their aid and melt the snow 
while they bind with a frozen cord the "Old Witch," who is found indulg- 
in a nap which she takes only once every hundred years. With the "Old 
Witch" powerless and in their control the Rescue of Santa is an easy 
matter. 

Tho' belated somewhat by his enforced stay at the North Pole, the children 
are glad to become his "aids" in spreading a "Merry Christmas" through all the world. This is 
a very clever plot, well worked out, and will make a decided hit for the Christmas season. 4 
Boys and 5 Girls with any number of Fairies. Time about one hour. Price 25 cents, Postpaid- 

The Christinas Wood. A play for children in two Acts. 35 characters, 23 girls and 12 boys. 
Prices; Single copy 30 cents, per dozen $3.00, Postpaid. Time of rendition about one hour. 
Four little girls watching for Santa Claus decide to start out on a search for him, but after quite 
a journey discover that they are lost in the "Christmas Wood," where on the night before Christ 
mas the "Goblins," "Passion," "Sloth," "Sulkiness," "Selfishness," "Greed," "Envy,*' "Falsehood." 
etc., are permitted to roam. 

These children are shown how closely related they are to these unpleasant "Goblins" and they 
develop such a dislike for them that they determine never again to allow such characters to mar 
the beauty of their lives. "Christmas Spirit" then comes and drives the "Goblins" from the 
Christmas Wood and their places are taken by the "Christmas Sprites," "Good Will," "Generosity," 
"Truth," "Mercy," "Faith," "Hope," "Joy," etc., and in the end the ones who were lost in the 
"Christmas Wood" seeking for Santa Claus, find that "Love" is the real Santa Claus and all go 
out with "Love" in their hearts to spread abroad the true Christmas Cheer. 

Christmas Cheer. A play in two Acts for six females. Time of rendition about 20 minutes. 
Price 25 cents. Postpaid. 

Four young ladies are the members of a Sunday School class whose teacher has asked that each 
member of the class shall do something to bring "Christmas Cheer" to someone who would not 
otherwise be remembered. Each of the girls, unbeknown to the other members of the class, 
decides to make the "Jones Family" the object of her Christmas visit. 

The "Jones Family" consists of Caroline and Amanda, who are very poor and earn their living 
knitting. Christmas Eve finds them trying to confort each other in their loneliness, when one 
after another the four girls of the Sunday School Class call to dispense their mite of Christmas 
Cheer. It turns out to be quite a "Surprise party" not only for the "Jones's but for the Sunday 
School Class as well. While one of the girls prepares the Christmas pie, the others of the class 
provide a pleasing entertainment. When the Christmas pie is cut, Caroline and Amanda find 
that it is filled with the presents which the class brought. There was "Christmas Cheer" in 
abundance which was shared equally by those who gave and those who received. 




